Sex Scandal Sacks Joe Paterno

Posted on Nov 9, 2011

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Since 1950, Joe Paterno has been a fixture at Penn State’s football program and a legend in college football. He sent more than 250 players to the NFL and ran as clean an athletic program as may be reasonably accomplished, but now he has to end his career on a low note.

In case you hadn’t heard, Paterno announced Wednesday that he would step down as Penn State’s coach at the end of this season after the revelation of a sex abuse scandal involving his former assistant coach, Jerry Sandusky. The Associated Press sums it up in the clip below. —KA

THAT was one unexpected crash into a college community (of 96,000 students and more than half a million alumni). There is more on the horizon; and the trains to hit Penn State are picking up speed. Will it be student activity fees to repair subsequent rioting damage (and pay future case-related legal and other fees)? It’ll be monetary contributions for years to come and several generations before PSU is cleansed emotionally and financially. Student vigils for the crime victims are as cheaply symbolic as my candle in the window for the hungry in some African area. One action student activists could engage in now is to identify the vandals clearly shown in the riot photos and make them the initial payers for the damages townspeople will have to cover. The history of all eventual human and monetary costs of this “case” will be written years from now.

“fandb” makes a very important point: This is not your run of the mill “sex scandal.” Sandusky was raping young boys. Mike McQueary SAW THIS HAPPENING in 2002. He SAW Sandusky sodomizing a 10 year old boy in the shower. He didn’t try to stop it. He didn’t call the police. He called his father and together they told Paterno, who told the athletic director. And because NONE of these cowards went to the cops, Sandusky’s crimes continued for years.

Doesn’t matter how great Joe Paterno is or what he accomplished or contributed over all his years at Penn State. He wasn’t just the football coach. He was THE public face of that university. By not doing EVERYTHING he should have done, including going straight to the police the minute he was made aware that SANDUSKY WAS RAPING LITTLE BOYS, he threw it all away.

But incredibly, even after firing Paterno, the trustees are STILL blowing it by NOT firing McQueary (at least as of the time of this post). They are simply asking that he stay off the sidelines Saturday. Unbelievable.

oddsox - Yes, I think we’re on the same page…sort of…..My point about the students is less a criticism about their economic status (I’m sure there are poor students attending Penn State)....It’s simply absurd to think that they can muster up passion over their “beloved” coach when there are far more important issues they should get passionate about.

First, I’m sure you’re with me here: let’s not forget the victims—these kids allegedly molested by somebody that had more than their trust. Sandusky was probably a hero to most of them before he got them alone.
These kids will always deserve more sympathy than JoPa.

Paterno trusted Sandusky, too. It probably broke his heart to have to pass the allegations upward; something I’m certain he wished he didn’t have to do.
But Patero is a coach, not a cop. He should have CALLED the cops, he admits that, that was his mistake.

JoPa has over 60 years experience in football.
But Sandusky’s betrayal forced him to play on a different field—one where lawyers, law enforcement professionals, activists, the media & polititians suit up as regulars.
A field where Joe Paterno was a true freshman.
So Joe fumbled.
He’s paying a heavy price for it—it wouldn’t have happened without the criminal actions of somebody he trusted.

—-

As for the students, I agree with you there’s no justification for violence and vandalism.
But if Penn State students protest the firing of their coach and not corporate corruption, it’s their choice and they’re free to make it. Peacefully.
(They’re also free to protest both, or neither, of course.)

You write: “Seems to me all of those well-educated, privileged youth should get their asses out and protest something worth fighting for…....their very future.”

Many TruthDig followers have placed these same “privileged youth” on the side of the 1%, you know.

oddsox - no…..not “snared in this net.” That’s a total mischaracterization of what happened in Mr. Paterno’s pond (to use your fishing metaphor). His “empire,” his department, his staff, his program…..his responsibility.

What’s most disturbing is how students can riot in the streets over the firing of a “coach” when millions of Americans have been screwed by the banks and the politicians bought and paid-for by the banks. Seems to me all of those well-educated, privileged youth should get their asses out and protest something worth fighting for…....their very future.